Category Archives: Fractals

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Gaze

fractal.jpg

Via Wikipedia:

A fractal as a geometric object generally has the following features:

  • fine structure at arbitrarily small scales
  • is too irregular to be easily described in traditional Euclidean geometric language.
  • is self-similar (at least approximatively or stochastically)
  • has a Hausdorff dimension that is greater than its topological dimension (although this requirement is not met by space-filling curves such as the Hilbert curve)
  • has a simple and recursive definition.

Due to them appearing similar at all levels of magnification, fractals are often considered to be ‘infinitely complex’. Obvious examples include clouds, mountain ranges and lightning bolts. However, not all self-similar objects are fractals — for example, the real line (a straight Euclidean line) is formally self-similar but fails to have other fractal characteristics.

Personally, I could just look at them all day long….

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Hindu Temple Fractals

kandariyasmall.jpg

Here’s something I bet you haven’t talked about down at the coffee shop:

This webpage explores fractal aspects of Hindu temple architecture, examining multiple archetypes and geometry of recursion. It is primarily about architectural design, religious symbolism and imagination. It concerns religious imagination involved in some of the ideas and plans used in Hindu temples. It is not intended to speak to issues of social justice, or economic questions. It is not intended to imply that all temples are the same, or that all temples are perfect institutions. Other studies exist which treat those topics. This short study can offer only a cursory suggestion of the intricacies of the symbol system, the modes of measuring units and proportions, and the reflection of the whole in some of the parts.

“The whole in some of the parts” — ah, yes. That’s how it works, behind the drama.

Now I have something to talk about at Traveller’s Cafe here in Boulder, when they’re not asking if I want a fresh cookie.